Storm Safety

Learn how you can best properly prepare to stay safe during unexpected power outages due to storms, natural disasters, and the unknown.

How to Stay Safe Before & During Storms

Severe storms are more common in the spring and summer, but winter blizzards also pose a threat here in Northern Colorado. Be prepared for severe weather and know how to stay safe during unplanned and extended power outages.

We’ve seen our fair share of natural disasters – including fires, floods, and even tornados. We’re committed to providing you the resources and information you can trust to keep you safe no matter the obstacles we face.

Stay Informed

This is the most important way you can help keep yourself and those around you safe.

In the case of a large outage situation and/or severe weather, we will update our members with the best information we have available. The easiest way to report an outage is through our mobile app, where you can also sign up for real-time outage alerts. Check our Outage Center for updates or check our Facebook and Twitter. You can also call us anytime for updates.

Additional information from local emergency management offices and our local news can help you get the information you need. Try these resources:

In the Colder Months

Report your outage through our mobile app, on the web, or by calling us.

Safety First

If you plan to use a generator, know how to operate it safely.
Unplug all appliances and electronics so they won’t get damaged with power restoration efforts.
If power lines are on the ground, assume they are energized. Stay far away from them and warn others to do the same. Contact us to let us know.
Any power line that is de-energized could become energized at any moment due to power restoration efforts or backup generators. Stay away from them!
Check on friends and relatives – especially children, seniors, and those with medical conditions or disabilities. These people may need to seek emergency warming shelters.
Keep a first-aid kit in your home and one in your car. Make sure that it includes scissors, tweezers, safety pins, aspirin, eyewash, rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, and bandages.

Keeping Warm

Staying warm is a priority. Stay inside and dress warm. Dress in several layers of loose fitting, lightweight warm clothing. Wear hats, mittens, and scarves.
Close off unneeded rooms to keep the heat in your living areas.
Place draft blocks at the bottom of doors to minimize cold drafts from entering your home.
When using an alternative heat source, follow operating instructions, use fire safeguards, and be sure to properly ventilate. Always keep a multipurpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisher nearby, and know how to use it.
Keep a close eye on the temperature in your home. Infants and people over the age of 65 are often more susceptible to the cold. You may want to stay with friends or relatives, or go to an emergency shelter if you cannot keep your home warm.

Maintaining Food

Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible to keep your food cold.
If power is out longer than 4 hours, keep perishable items in a cooler with ice.
Make ice outside.
A full freezer can remain cold enough for 48 hours, and half a freezer full for 24 hours.

In the Warmer Months

Report your outage through our mobile app, on the web, or by calling us.

Safety First

If you plan to use a generator, know how to operate it safely.
Unplug all appliances and electronics so they won’t get damaged with power restoration efforts.
If power lines are on the ground, assume they are energized. Stay far away from them and warn others to do the same. Contact us to let us know.
Any power line that is de-energized could become energized at any moment due to power restoration efforts or backup generators. Stay away from them!
Check on friends and relatives – especially children, seniors, and those with medical conditions or disabilities. These people may need to seek emergency warming shelters.
Keep a first-aid kit in your home and one in your car. Make sure that it includes scissors, tweezers, safety pins, aspirin, eyewash, rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, and bandages.

Keeping Cool

If it’s a hot time of year, dress in loose, lightweight clothing and stay on the coolest, lowest level of your home.
Use natural ventilation to cool homes and consider purchasing battery-powered fans.
Drink plenty of water and avoid heavy meals, caffeinated drinks, and alcohol.
Close all drapes and blinds on the sunny side of your residence.
Take your family and pets to a basement or other cool location if you have one. Also consider going to an air-conditioned public place during warmer daytime hours.

Maintaining Food

Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible to keep your food cold.
If power is out longer than 4 hours, keep perishable items in a cooler with ice.
A full freezer can remain cold enough for 48 hours, and half a freezer full for 24 hours.
Use safe alternative food preparations. A barbecue grill is an excellent way to prepare food. Always grill outside where there is proper ventilation.

Generator Safety

Portable or permanently installed standby generators can come in handy during long-term or extended power outages. However, if you do not know how to use them properly they can be dangerous. Contact a qualified vendor or electrician to help you determine what generator is best suited for your needs. Before using, be sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

If you are installing a permanent generator, it must have a transfer switch. The transfer switch prevents energy from leaving your generator and going back onto our electrical equipment – known as back feeding or re-energizing our lines. This can be extremely dangerous to our employees and others near power lines or attempting to restore your power. A qualified electrician should install your generator and transfer switch.

Portable Generator Safely Tips

Operate it outdoors in an area with plenty of ventilations. Never run a generator in a home or garage. Generators give off deadly carbon monoxide.
Do not plug a generator into the wall to avoid back feeding our system.
Use heavy-duty extension cords to connect appliances to the outlets on the generator itself.
Turn the generator on before plugging appliances into it. Once the generator is running, turn your appliances and lights on one at a time to avoid overloading the unit. Remember, generators are for temporary usage, prioritize your needs.
Generators pose electrical risks especially when operated in wet conditions. Use a generator only when necessary when the weather creates wet or moist conditions. Protect the generator by operating it under an open, canopy-like structure on a dry surface where water cannot form puddles or drain under it. Always ensure that your hands are dry before touching the generator.
Be sure the generator is turned off and cool before fueling it.
Keep children and pets away from portable generators at all times. Many generator components are hot enough to burn you during operation.

We also suggest that generator safety guidelines, as well as basic operating instructions, be posted in the home and with the generator.

Additional safety resources can be found online at SafeElectricity.org.

Outage Center

Get access to information and resources for power interruptions, including how to report an outage and find educational safety tips.

Learn More

line worker in cherry picker working on electrical pole

Electrical Safety

Where you can learn even more about electrical safety including finding useful tips, accessing safety checklists, and much more.

Get Prepared